I've already got several rifles in the 7mm-08 to .30-06 range. However, I hope to go to Africa. Unless I get a .338 (on general principles) I would probably use a .30-06 for plains game.
However, I would really like to take a buffalo. For a shooter who is willing to practice his shooting and gunhandling, doesn't have any major infirmities other than being tall and skinny, and will not be making a daily habit of hunting dangerous game, which would be best -- the .375 H&H, .416 Rem. Mag., or .416 Rigby?
All are available in the apparently well-regarded CZ550, and the H&H and Remington in the Model 70 Classic. The H&H and Rigby are available in the Ruger 77 but there we are nudging the price range of a pre-'64 Model 70.
Finn Aagaard always recommended the .375 for first-time buffalo hunters because he thought it easy to shoot. But, in his late writings he said the .416 Rem. was about the best DG cartridge ever and worth using for those who could handle it.
Anyone?
A riflery master I know likes to say "The .375 H&H is like a pair of black shoes; everyone should have one."
You are correct that it is enough for Cape buff with all the provisos. It is also simple to learn to use one effectively.
The .40s are more of a good thing, so perhaps you are looking at a situation where the excellent is the enemy of the good.
jim dodd
ps. I own and shoot three .375s, but I have the feeling that one of them is yearning to be rebarreled to .40.
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"if you are to busy to
hunt, you are too busy."
George
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Shoot straight, shoot often, but by all means, use enough gun!
A 375 H&H is an easy rifle to sell, when you really need a 416, and will bring a good price. So after you get absolutely jaded with shooting the little 375 H&H, you can move up to the 416, but I have an idea you will be unable to turn the 375 loose, and will just buy another rifle in 416! 
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..Mac >>>===(x)===>
also DUGABOY1
DUGABOY DESIGNS
Collector/trader of fine double rifles, and African wildlife art
/Kalle
If you can shoot the 416 Rem, get it in a controlled feed action...
If not, get the 375H&H. You will do good with both on buffalo...
Antonio
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Ray Atkinson
If I could ever afford to go to Africa I reckon I might take a .375 H&H loaded with 270 grainers for plains game, and take a .416 Rigby loaded with 410 gr woodleighs for buff. So John you will need to buy both, you just have to decide which to get first 
Regards PC.
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[This message has been edited by PC (edited 04-03-2002).]
One day you'll own both of these anyway.
Going from .30-06 to .375 makes good sense. Not to imply you couldn't handle the .416 straight away but a sequential learning curve is invaluable, IMHO.
You've gotten a lot of experienced advice and I agree with all of it. My advice is to get a 375 and use it until and on your first trip to Africa. If you fall in love with Africa (and 9 of 10 visitors do) get a 416 for subsequent trips.
My personal experience and observation is that the 375 is marginal on buffalo. However, I would feel better as an unarmed participant watching a proficient hunter taking on a buffalo with a 375 than standing by while a flincher takes on a buffalo with a 416.
Fundamentally, "close" only counts in horseshoes and handgrenades. If you can't shoot a .416 (any of them) with precision, you're better off with a .375: It's as simple as all that.
The rifle philosophy I disrespect most makes a blanket statement that says the Big Bores (.416s & larger) are "better" across the board for buff & stuff of that ilk, which is blatantly untrue. Such cartridges are only "better" if the guy who's pressing the trigger can shoot them well. If not (honesty ALWAYS has to come into play at some point in time), you're better off with something smaller.
AD
The 375 works for buffalo. The 40's are better, but only if you can shoot them well.
However, the 375 is better for AFRICA as it is the most versitile caliber on the continent.
Get the 375. Save the 416 for an incentive for the future.
you were mentioning that you are also thinking of a .338 Win.Mag.. I think the question is between one gun or two gun battery. The 375 H&H is the best one-gun-battery, whereas you think of a two-gun-battery, a combination of 338 & 416 is hard to beat! 
Three years ago I was actually facing the same question - my answer was to get a .338 Win.Mag. (for African plains game, but also for all the other European game). Last year I then added a Ruger .416 Rigby, which, by the way, is a great rifle - both calibers are pleasent to shot and I've used both of them quite a bit (for sure the .338 much more then the .416, but you also can shot plains game with the .416
Cheers
Erik
I have lots of hunters every year shooting buffalo with their first 416, 458 and up and they all shoot well. I can't remember the last bad shot we sent over there, in fact I have never had but one bad shot in 30 years or so which kinda puts a crimp in that old gun magazine stuff about the bimbo hunters..
I might suggest that a 350 gr. Monolithic kicks about like a 375 and kills buffalo with aplomb according to some well experienced experts..Even Finn Aagard regarded the 416 as a better all around rifle than the 375 and said so in print. I assume he ment if you can shoot it of course. I believe that anyone who can shoot the 375 well can sure shoot a 416 or a 404 just as well...
Just for the sake of converstation, but I am convinced of this...
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Ray Atkinson
As to my recoil tolerance -- I have shot a .375 (Model 70 Classic Safari Express, iron sights) and kept about 20 rounds in a "minute of moose" bullseye at 50 yds, standing and sitting.
Only time it bothered me was one of the standing shots when my cheek wasn't firmly down and I got popped under the cheekbone. Certainly that rifle, from those positions, hurt less than my pre-war Model 70 .30-06 (steel buttplate) does from prone.
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Ray Atkinson
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Ray Atkinson